I like to photograph waterfalls. One thing that always gets me is that it is rarely overcast without raining (except winter in PA, then the sun never shines and it is always overcast). So in order to take good shots I would most likely have to hike and photograph in the rain.
The big problem is that my camera is not weatherproof (5D Classic). I have had my camera in the rain before, but only very briefly and a light rain.
So what is the best method to hike (sometimes hours at a time), setup compose, and shoot while it is raining outside? My gear is all insured, but I'm sure the insurance company won't appreciate weekly claims .
I carry my gear in a dry sack whenever there's a chance it could get wet. Luckily haven't shot in actual rain except for two times. Once I was with my girlfriend and she was a doll and got wet while holding the umbrella over the camera and tripod. The other time I put a jacket over everything ending at the lens hood. I think they sell things called rain covers which may work better and be easier to use. But for carrying the gear, a dry sack has worked well for me.
I've shot not in rain, but in dust storms using ziplock bags.
Take a gallon or two-gallon ziplock bag, cut a round hole in the bottom sized to fit your lens hood, put the camera inside and stick the hood out through the hole. Use gaffer tape to attach the hole edges to the hood and don't forget to put a protective filter on your lens.
If it's bad, you keep the ziplock bag closed and operate the camera through the plastic. If it's not so bad, you can open the ziplock bag and shoot this way, still being ready to close the bag at the moment's notice.
I regularly shoot motorsport in the rain, never had a problem. Stick on a wildlifewatchingsupplies cover for whatever lens I am using, no worries. Even shot for 8 hours in torrential rain, I was soaked even in full wet weather gear but my camera was pretty dry though there was a very small amount of condensation on the inside of the rain cover.
If you really want to do it right, and take no chances, take a look at Aquatech's Sport shield, made in Australia, and available at BH. A downpour's no problem with this one. A lot of surf photogs use the longer version made for the super teles. Comes in navy and camo. Make sure you order the camera specific eyepiece. Compact, weighs nothing, durable, and is always in my bag.
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